"What makes you think so?"
"Oh, he's always with her. And he gave her some lovely books that he had bought on purpose for me! And, Daisy says things all the time that prove it. I don't want anything to do with another girl's rustic swain. That I don't!"
"Just a minute, Patty. Do you really consider Bill a rustic,—uncultured, and all that, I mean?"
Patty looked serious. "No, Adele, I don't. He hasn't a certain polish, that some men have, but he is a thorough gentleman and a splendid man. I must say that, in all honesty. But he is a domineering, head-strong nature, and he couldn't make any girl happy!"
"Oh, couldn't he!" said Adele, but she said it to herself, not aloud.
The subject was really dropped then, and Patty began to dress for luncheon.
"I'm going to put on this white crêpe de chine," she said. "I found it hanging in the wardrobe, left from last summer. I'd almost forgotten I had it. It's a pretty frock, isn't it?"
"Yes. But, I grieve to state, Pattibelle, we'll be alone at lunch, you and I. Jim has gone miles off in the country, and won't be back before six or so."
"Whatever for?"
"Oh,—on some business."